Nationwide Poll: A look at the state of entrepreneurship in the U.S.

Six Million Americans are Planning Exodus from Corporate Life

Six million Americans who work for an employer say they plan to strike out on their own and start a new business or company in the next 12 months, according to a new opinion poll.

A total of 13.6 million employed, unemployed, or self-employed adults 18 years of age and older, who represent an amazing 7.8% of the U.S. population, hope to take control of their financial futures by starting a new business within the next 12 months.  These findings are part of a national opinion poll sponsored by E-Myth Worldwide, and which was conducted August 4-6 by Synovate, a leading independent research company.

Entrepreneurial Spirit is Alive and Well

The survey shows that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in America — driven in most cases by the age-old desire to make more money. 

William Schlegel, CEO of E-Myth Worldwide, says "Clearly, millions of people want to stop laboring for others, or get out of the unemployment line, and start working for themselves by becoming their own boss.  For those who are already self-employed, many plan to begin exciting new enterprises. And while the statistics show that more men than women hope to start their own business, a huge percentage of currently unemployed women (45%) see starting their own business as a way to achieving financial independence."           

According to the survey, people said the biggest challenges they face in starting a business are lack of knowledge and confidence (44%), raising money (44%), and the economic and competitive climates (39%).

Business Development Skills Crucial to Success

 "While some factors influencing the likelihood of success, such as the state of the economy, are beyond an individual's control, the good news is that the knowledge entrepreneurs need can be quickly gained by learning the critical thinking and core business development skills essential to the success of small businesses," notes Schlegel.

"With the vantage point of E-Myth's 30 year history of examining and responding to the challenges facing small business owners, we know for certain that increased knowledge builds confidence and enhances the chances for sustainable success.  Correspondingly, all of E-Myth's on-line courses, seminars, and coaching programs were developed with these factors in mind."

Other major findings of the E-Myth-sponsored poll include the following:

• 8.5 million men and 5.1 million women are thinking of starting their own business next year.
• The most popular reason to start a business is to make more money (30%), be their own boss (18%) and fulfill a dream or hobby (15%).
• The desire to start a new business spans all age groups, but is significantly higher for those people ages 45-54.
• Individuals planning to start a new business are more likely to live in the South and West regions of the United States, and they are least likely to live in the Midwest.
• Men are more confident of their potential business success (50%) than women (34%).

About the Poll